May 3 1999 and May 17, 1999

5/3/99

Dear Family,

                Well how is it going?  Sounds like we have had some auto problems.  Just like we tell the Khmaes when they ask why we don’t have moto’s or cars, “bikes are better”.  Although I have had a busy week of shuttle service, we had four Elder’s sick this week.  The good news is no traffic accidents, and all Elders are now well.  I spent quite a lot of time with Elder Burnham.  Tues. and Wednesday morning as his blood had to be tested both days.  They were monitoring his platelet count, worried that he had dangy fever.  The second day as the nurse was trying to get some blood she struggled a bit tried both arms.  While this was happening I watched as Elder Burnham, from Soda Springs, Idaho, fainted his face went totally white.  I told the nurse and she got a little excited and gave me the needle and tube of blood.  I then helped her but him on the bed.  Elder Burnham snapped  out of it kind of as I man handled him up on the bed.  His blood pressure was pretty low.  I was a bit worried, but then the doctor came in an nicely took care of things.  He started an IV and got a vein with no problem.  This was all taking place at SOS International Clinic where there is a real doctor from America and real equipment.  A small clinic but they even have ER stuff.  I still don’t like to see the pain caused from sticking needles and things, yet I know and see that it is necessary and beneficial.  I liked the way the doctor came in and there was no questioning his skills.  I had about 2 hours of nice quiet time at Elder Burnham’s bedside as he received 4 32 ouncers and slept while we waited for test results.  I read in Alma about great missionaries and faith.  Pres. White wants us to center May Zone Conference on building faith in Missionaries and Phnom Penh Members.  I thought about this, and said some quiet prayers.  I also talked with Elder Burnham lots to keep him company and I have built a good friendship with him. 

                We received a new office couple this week who are pretty wide-eyed at their new surroundings. 

                Sophan our golden family update: His wife’s father has suffered some heart troubles this past week which really scared the family and has delayed our progress.  We should commit them to baptism this week.   ---- The call told us that they had committed Sophan, but not the wife.

                Also out of the blue we received a message to come back and visit the husband of a member who has been approached before but now all of a sudden wants to study.

                I love you all.  I watched conference and the family messages caused me to think of my own

                Love your Son, Brother and Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

                                                                                                                5/17/99

Dear Family,

                Hello, Hello, Hello

                I have a good a good recommendation for a good video to watch.   It is called “ Where the Twain Meet”  a KSL Documentary of President Gordon B. Hinkley’s 18 day trip to Asia in 1996.  ( footage of Cambodia included.)

                Also June 12-15 our mission will be toured by a General Authority.  He is the 2^nd counselor in Asia Area Presidency H. Bryan Richards will be in Cambodia.  He will speak and preside at a June 12-13 District Conference at the Intercontinental Hotel and also has scheduled time to be with the AP’s and ZL’s.

                Today I had to do a major repair of the Japanese Red Rider.  I had to replace the bearings and sprockets in my rear wheel.  First major repair in 14 months of daily use.  Monkey boy took care of me. 

                I’m a little short on time, so I will tell you a story from this week.

                We have been meeting with Luau Thom and helped him learn more about giving a Priesthood blessing.  After this training we were visiting with another member Heang who said his wife was sick.  We talked about a blessing and the family requested a blessing. We scheduled a time to come back so that Luu Thom could join us.  Heang and his family live right on the edge of a lake and when we went back for the blessing it was the day after a big rain storm.  The Lake was much higher and there was 2-3 feet of water in their house and it was an island about 100 yards out in the lake.  The family is extremely poor.  The house is a one room shack and Heang, his wife, and two small cute daughters.  We waited one more day to see if the water would recede.  Nope , so we borrowed the neighbors little wooden boat and Luu Thom, Elder Hoare, and I headed out towards their house .  There it was on 3 feet of water or so.  The water was black and not healthy, so we road the wooden boat.  It was quite an adventure.  We were able to give the blessing and help encourage the family. 

                We continue to work with Sophon and his family,

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

              Elder Rogers  

April 26, 1999

 Clint Mission 99   # 17

Dear Family,                                                                         4/26/99

How is everyone doing?  Thanks for the good reports.  I’m glad to hear Elder North had a great farewell.  Missionary #2 has now entered the field.  Tell the extended family if they have to make a choice whether to write Missionary old or Missionary new, send to Elder North.

Well, after today I am about to have a come-a-part.  The AP’s played taxi service for two sick Elders and other missionary doings.  AP is great to be able to work with President White and to be heavily involved in the mechanics of the mission.  AP is also tough as we are always on stand-by, and it is very difficult to keep things going in the area.  It is great to serve in the thick of things.  Fast and furious. 

We continue to work with our Golden family.  If we are doing anything good in our area right now it is with Sophon, Sovan, and their daughter Leinda, the other kids we will round up later.  They have struggled a bit with understanding in their B of Mormon reading, it has slowed us down a bit.  We are at 2.4 finished faith and repentance.  Tomorrow we meet again for Baptism and Holy Ghost. Our goal is to have them committed to baptism and finished with both the 2^nd and 3^rd discussions this week.

I was hit by a moto again this week. However I was driving the van. I was turning into the Doctor’s office making a right hand turn and the moto tried to pass me on my inside. Good thing the rear view mirrors swing around when hit. He bounced off the side of the van. No harm done to the van or him. I was barely moving as I slowed to shift down to first to climb the lip of the driveway. However it was still scary.

                Today we showed a video to a great young guy in his early twenties. He is a great guy but all we can really do is smile at each other. He has come to church the last 3 or 4 weeks in a row. He speaks very little English or Khmae but perfect Chinese. We showed him “Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” which was translated into Chinese. (The guy with the horse in the mountains is the video.) He was glued to the screen. A Chinese Book of Mormon is on order and will be here soon. He just keeps coming back. He could be the start of the Chinese program here in Cambodia. There are lots of Chinese here.

                I’m out of time. Thanks again for the good report.

                                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary            Elder Rogers 

April 12, 1999 and April 26, 1999

4/12/99

Dear Family,

                You ask about my schedule as AP –let me take you through last week. 

                Tuesday morning started with a meeting from 7-9 a.m. with President White and the 3 zone leaders.  The official title is ZLTM ( not to be confused with DDM, MSF, ZCPM, other mission code words)  zone leader training meeting.  In this meeting we plan zone conference.  A lesson to the zone leaders, and President White had a few thoughts for all of us Alma 7: 21-25.  After meeting Elder Sober was sick so he became my companion and Elder Hoare went with his companion up north.  Elder Sorber stayed and rested while I worked on membership records. And then after lunch I went with the Fowlers to tie up the deal on a new house rental agreement.  I was translator.  From 3:00 on I went to appointments and switched back with Elder Hoare. 

                Wednesday I went on a split with Elder Brooking.  Things are a little slow in his area and we wanted to help him get reexcited about the work.  I feel like I know Elder Brooking pretty good and asked if I could be the one to go.  I set some goals first.  I wanted to find two families ready for the discussions.   We didn’t have the whole day.   We did find and teach the first discussion to a family.  They were real poor.  They told us how the rain from the night before leaked through the roof.  The father really listened good and asked good questions.  We scheduled some other appointments with people that we found for later in the week.  I tried to get him fired up in our study after lunch.  I felt pretty good about the split.  I just wish I could have done more to jump-start his area. 

                Thursday Elder Hoare and I worked in the office.  Then at 11:00 President and Sister White returned from the airport with 4 new Elders.  2 Viet speaking ( Elder Burhnam, and Davis) , and 2 Khmae Elders ( Elders Park, and Miller) , also that same morning 2 native Khmae Elders joined the force ( Elders Chin, and Nou.) There are 34 elders right now.  That will change this week.  We will lose Elders Gray, Heywood, McCormick.  We will gain Elder Richardson.  Total will be 32 until June.  At least 6 more coming in June. 

                We joined the new Elders for lunch then took their bags to their houses in our 5 speed mini-van while they went and bought bikes.  It is exciting to see new Elders come.  Friday we conducted the orientation from 7:30-12:00 talked about mission policy etc. 

                That evening was the branch New Year Party.  We attended with the Father and 3 kids of our “Golden family” .  His name is Sophen.  We met with him today and had a great appointment.  He really liked Mosiah 2:17----When your in the service . . . He said he really liked the verse and that it really stuck in his mind.  We made appointments to go back on Wednesday the 14^th and teach the whole family the 2^nd.  Our goal is to commit them to baptism this week. 

                I must tell you that Elder Hodson has taken off in the last few months.  We helped put together the comp. Assignments and we had put Elder Hodson as a Senior comp.  President White talked with us again later and after prayer felt like not only should he be a senior but that he should train Elder Park.  It is been a great learning experience for me to see the Lord, and President White work with Elder Hodson.  I know that Elder Hodson will be a great trainer.  Also Elder Park has the makings of a good Elder already. 

                This morning was really fun.  This last week that Elders Gray, Heywood, and McCormick are here they are conducting MTC for Elders Nou and Chin.  Elder Hoare and I translated as President And Sister White opened and welcomed, then Elder Hoare and I each taught a session.  I took the first 15 pages of the Missionary Guide and taught the Purpose of Missionary Work.  I enjoyed teaching .  I focused on Heavenly Fathers Plan and Conversion, and the why of missionary work. Because we do not have all the scriptures translated and this young men are young in the gospel it is fun to expound on their knowledge of the plan.  This is something you can’t do down in the original 6 discussions.  Elder Hoare was next with “ Christ like Attributes”.  I hope the lessons were not overshadowed by the peeled, sliced, chilled mangos served as a midmorning snack!!  J

                Thanks for all the good letters!!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

P.S. Take ice water squeeze lime into and add sugar to your taste!  This is a great thirst quencher!!

                4/26/99

Today’s letter mostly answers questions that we have asked over the last while--- kind of a catch up letter. 

He includes some journal entries – I will type them at the last. 

                Also this week Elder Hoare and I went and rescued 4 Elders.  They were moving from house 17 to a new smaller house, house 2B.  Elder Hoare and I went up town and found a truck and 3 bored Cambodians and paid them to help us move.  2 trips in the big truck was all it took.  It was the New Year, they helped us and we gave them some money and so we both left with smiles. 

                I am so excited for Mitch!!  Elder North is going to do great!  I tried to write him a good letter last week.  Send him my love and encouragement. 

JOURNAL ENTRIES:

                Right now we are working with a guy named Sophon.  He has 5 kids and it is a real nice family.  We found them one day at his neighbor’s house as Elder Hoare needed a bathroom stop.  He has twin sons. 2 other sons, and a daughter.  He told us a funny story of when the twins were young one of them was sick.  Sophon was preparing some medicine and the sick twin left the room and the healthy one entered.  Sophon made the healthy twin take the medicine.  The mother, Sophon’s wife heard the healthy one complaining and crying about having to take medicine and informed Sophon of his error.  We had a good laugh about this.  I told them about Ang and Anne but his twins are identical.  We have just finished the first discussion with just him.  We are struggling getting the 2^nd started with him.  We have missed him a couple of times………..

2 events are historic today.  The first was Elder Suy, the first Khmae returned missionary, who returned today from an Idaho, USA mission.  Historic because he is the first to return.  He is in a difficult situation because he wants to return, someone has agreed to pay for his education at Ricks college.  However he comes home with no job, family, or place to go.  He is staying with Pres. White right now. 

I also received a letter that I wrote to myself at the MTC over 1 year ago today.  Seems like yesterday.

Sophon and his family came to the Branch New Year Party.  I introduced him to everyone that came in.  He sat at a table with Luu Thom and some of the other priesthood holders and families! 

Friday we were really impressed with the branch leaders and their families, as they planned and ran the show for their party.  Today there is no Sunday School teacher and only a few to church.  The leaders decided to show a video to everyone. 

I must tell of an experience that happened last week.  We met with Sophon and his wife, daughter, and other family members.  We told them before that we wanted to come and teach the 2^nd discussion.  They were ready.  Sophon prayed to start and Elder Hoare and I started teaching.  We answered a few questions that Sovann, Sophon’s wife, had from the Book of Mormon.  Then we began the second discussion.  The first principle about physical death went great as they really listened yet were puzzled and unsure what they were hearing.  They asked great questions.  This is fun to teach,  person who is willing to listen yet weighing and judging and asking questions. When it all finally clicked and they understood about resurrection, as they thought about the idea that all will be resurrected, Sophon smiled and said “ that is deep”.  Just as we were starting the second , a pick-up truck with police painted on the side came to a quick stop outside the gate.  Out jumped the fattest, biggest Cambodian I have ever seen.  He was wearing a gun and came right up motioning for Sophon to come.  I could tell that he was drunk.  He said he came to bring Sophon to a New Year’s Party with all the boys.  We asked if Sophon could wait and finish the discussion and then go, but he said he didn’t have a ride and the fat guy was incredibly persistent.  Sophon was gone and we all sat there wondering what had happened.  ( This is kind of what happens with the phone at Family Home Evening)   The wife and family lamented, they didn’t want him to go.  I said, “ We had such a good feeling here, but now it is gone.”  They agreed. We didn’t finish the discussion because the spirit was gone. 

                I was stunned the discussion was going great, then the fat guy came.  I have never seen such a direct opposition from the adversary.  An opposition that blatantly destroyed a discussion.  We need more prayers and help from Heavenly Father to help this family. 

                I need to record some of the events from yesterday.  We had a great Zone Conference on the theme of steadfastness. Mosiah 5:15.  Elder Sorber conducted.  Sister White talked about the Pioneers who crossed the plains and their steadfastness came from their temple covenants. 

                Elder Hoare and I gave our lesson on prayer and said “look-up” to God for personal help, help to convert others, and give gratitude back.  It was a great district conference. 

                After Zone Conference on Friday , we were out and about and scheduled with our new member Chany Hang Bo.  As we were visiting with him we asked him what he had been doing for New Year.  He said, “ Oh not too much just stayed home and drank sour tree juice and stuff.”  Sour Tree Juice is fermented sugar plum tree juice.  We knew before from a member that Chay Hang Bo had been drinking. 

My first thought was oh, no, we need to have someone talk to him about drinking again.  I made a mental note to tell a member.  Then I thought no, I need to be true and just tell him.  So I asked him, “Does Sour Tree Juice have alcohol in it?  He answered no but then we talked about how it was fermented and that was against the Word of Wisdom.  He said he knew it was wrong or thought that it might be wrong.  A member friend had told him it was wrong to do it.  He told the friend that he would ask the Elders.  He talked about his plan to say what he had been doing and see how we the Elders responded.  It was a test!  And I almost failed!  We had a good talk about repentance and from this point on----- NO MORE SOUR TREE JUICE!  It was a great experience.  It took place as we stood by our bikes.  A five minute scheduling visit, turned in to a great spiritual growth experience for all of us.  Especially I think for Bo as we handled his problem in a spirit of love and trust and honesty.  Elder Hoare and I talked afterwards.  We were glad that I popped the question.    

April 4, 1999

4/5/99

Clint Mission # 14

Dear Family,

                Well, it has been a crazy week.  The Johnson’s flew home to Spanish Fork, Ut.  Pres. and Sister White went to Vietnam.  Fowlers and Calls went on a day trip to Angkor Wat.  That left Elder and Sister Blodgett her in charge.  Elder Hoare and I played taxi to the airport in our 5 speed Toyota mini-van 3 times.  The best was picking up President White and his wife and getting a full report on their Vietnam trip.  They went to meet the couples there. 

                Also we have been playing real estate agent here trying to get a new house for four Elders.  Two or three times I have been calling people on the phone, asking about their houses and scheduling times we can go through it.  At the end of the phone conversation one lady asked what nationality I was.  So I don’t sound like a native, but she complimented me on my language.  She told me my language was good.  It is fun stuff!!

                Dalyyaa, the sounds of Sunday lady met with us again and it was pretty rough.  She said she prayed but didn’t have any answer.  Also she told us she is a teacher at her church and she couldn’t accept Joseph Smith and that we should spend our time with those who don’t know Christ.  We are still friends but she does not want to study with us .

                However we must have gotten her thinking as she had been to talk to someone up higher in the church about Joseph Smith, Baptisms for the Dead, and Eternal Families.  They won’t except these.  Again she praised us for what we were doing, but. . . .

                The high light of the week was Sunday Marin and his wife and four children all came to church.  They sat down before I saw them.  I only saw the Dad and was in the process of inviting him to sit by some members then I saw the rest of the family sitting down.  It was great to see the whole family.  They have finished the first discussion and seemed only so-so interested.  We decided to test them and said, “ We invite you to church”.  They all came and the kids really had fun in the Primary Class.  

                Busy, busy here!  Thanks for all the letters, and pictures.  Nick Hammer you have grown 2 ft.!!!

Can you dunk yet?    Awesome!!!!

                I’ve got to run!!

              Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

                

March 29 1999

Clint Mission 99 #13                                                                           3/29/99

Dear Family,

                Thanks for the letters and pictures I received this week.  Aunt Shell, and the Norths, Hammers, Grandma Hafen and Grandma Talbot, Mom, Dad, Lisha, Bood-funk-a-rama, Angela, Andrea, and Jon!!!

Things are good here although very busy.  I guess that is AP life.

                I too look forward to Conference, we will get it on a video in a month or so. 

                Mangos, Mangos, Mangos!!!

                Like I said this week has flown by I think it was because everyday is just packed.  I don’t know if it is the heat or our schedule but if I sit still for a moment I do the bob thing.  I have no trouble at appointments it is usually the last hour before bed. 

                I think I told you about some of the other Christian people we met.  We have been praying for an opportunity to meet with some of them and just have been working with others.  The Sounds of Sunday couple was scheduled for Monday today like I said last week.  However on Friday we saw her home and paused to see if we were on for Monday. 

                Monday she was busy.  We went to the church and grabbed 19 year old Ban Promoul a district missionary and went back.  We just sat and listened as she went off about her church and all the stuff they were doing.  We waded through this waiting for our chance.  She began to ask how we were different.  We began to tell her and focused in on principles 3rd & 4th of the first discussion.  3=God’s Plan for Revealing truth and 4 = Joseph Smith.  Her main concern is that after the bible there is no more.  We don’t need prophets, revelation, etc.  She has never thought about the concept of priesthood authority.  The discussion was intense as she really wanted to know and yet believes strongly in her church.  It was not contentious though.  An hour and a half flew by and more and more she listened.  She committed to pray about Joseph Smith.  As we were talking she at one point thought we weren’t understanding her, we were struck on a term that they use differently in her church.  She went right to Promoul and he strongly bore his testimony.  He said he really felt the spirit in the appointment.  Her name is Dalyya ( Dal lee ya).  She praised us saying I admire your courage and the way you talk with feeling.  As we were leaving she talked about her family.  She said her family had been Christian ever since her Aunt or someone heard a voice in answer to prayer.  Also she said that her parents had both died and she was an orphan .

                When she said this I asked her is she had ever been baptized for her parents.  I knew she hadn’t been but asked to spark her interest.  I then talked about 1 Corinthians 15:29 .  Else why. . .  and told her that through the Priesthood we can do this ordinance to help those who have passed on.  It grabbed her attention and it came right from the bible.  

                DEAR VERN STUDY THE MISSION SCRIPTURE LIST!!!!---- Love Elder Rogers

               

                We went back lst thing Saturday Morning to check on Dalyya’s answer.  She had laid down to help her daughter get to sleep and feel asleep too. We are going back tomorrow at 12:00p.m., to follow up on her prayer.  She obviously felt the spirit. I believe she knows it is already true.  Her prayer will only confirm that.  The hard part is that she is a paid employee for the New life Church.  Our little branches do not  have the radio station, membership,  etc.  However, we do have the restored and complete gospel of Jesus Christ with authority to perform the ordinances that allow us to enter the celestial kingdom.  I know that this is true. 

                Love you all.

                Your  Son, Brother, Missionary, Elder Rogers

March 22, 1999

Clint Mission 99# 12                                                                            3/22/99

Dear Family,

                Hello.  I bought 12 Mangos nicely ripe and put them in the fridge for the week.  I plan to eat at least one after writing this letter.  The only down side is with no maid I have to peel them. 

                The major event of this last week was Zone Conference.  It was a major event for Elder Hoare and I, there was much to prepare.  We talked about the Mission Statement:

                1).  Help Every Missionary Return with Honor.

                2).  Be committed to a balanced effort with emphasis Conversion, Retention, Activation.

                3). Memorize discussions and discussion scriptures. 

                The theme of the conference as you know was Alma 57:21 Obedience.  We tried to focus on the promises and positives of obedience.  Our lesson started with #3 and built up to #1.  #1 Return with Honor.  Elder Hoare and I used a video clip from the Satellite Broadcast to Missionaries, where Elder Russell M. Ballard spoke about the power which comes to missionaries who focus on Christ.  Our commitment was “Will you Return with Honor by making your mission HIS mission?”

                The Fowlers, Johnsons, Elder Gray, Heywood, McCormick all gave their final testimonies.  Time is sailing by here.  It was weird to see my trainer Elder Heywood give his closing testimony.  He related the experience of a day in April, a day that was hotter than Toby, when he and I found Lou Thom. It is quite a success story.  There are so many blessings and experiences that it becomes a big blur. Write fast and furious in the journal at night. 

                I’m excited that you left Elder Lloyd.  He just left here a few minutes ago. Sounds like you all really enjoyed his homecoming. 

                Elder Hoare and I have been given a big assignment by President White.  The missionary department has said that we can have 52 missionaries here.  Elder Hoare and I have been given the assignment to create the plan of expansion.  Of the 52, 6 will be Viet Elders, 46 Cambodian Elders.  That means 23 companionships.  Right now we do not have permission to leave Phnom Penh.  After that we do have permission , we want to go to Ta Khman a city just south of PP and to Kompang Cham.  Siam Reap is a few years away.  Elder Hoare and I need to create a plan for 9 new proselyting areas.  By mid April we will have 30 Elders. 

                Things are picking up in our area.  There are a couple of pieces of property being looked at for 3 church buildings.  No purchases made yet.  There is a committee coming to make the decision.   The lot they like is on Mao Tse Toung right across from the Chinese Embassy.  President White and we as a mission have a goal of turning the District of PP into a stake.  President would like to see this before he goes home in June 2000.

                Just an update about “the Sounds of Sunday” couple.  They are remolding their house.  The wife tends their daughter in the morning while he works at the “pital” and then he tends in the afternoon while she reads scriptures on the radio and yes our members say that they have heard scriptures from the Book of Mormon on the air.  Because of the remolding we haven’t been able to meet the husband.  We don’t dare go and meet the wife without the husband. 

                However we saw them this afternoon and she asked us straight out “What do you believe?” Why do you say Joseph Smith is so important?  We scheduled to go back on Monday the 29^th to talk about Joseph Smith. 

                We have had a real interesting thing happening to us these last few weeks.  Elder Hoare and I have run into more Christian families than we have met combined in the other months of the mission.  They are all members of other Christian Churches.  They won’t listen to us, aren’t concerned about searching for complete truth, A bible, A bible.  Elder Hoare and I are just in agony as they are past the Buddhism thing and love to talk about Christ but don’t have the complete gospel.  We feel like we have to do something and are being led to these families but aren’t sure what? 

                I appreciate all your love!

                Love Your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

                  

March 15, 1998

                3/15/99

                Word!! Right back at you Mom I had the first Mangos of the season after reading your letter.  It’s on!!  Elder Hoare and I decided that we are going to keep track oh how many mangos we eat this year.  So far two down, lots more to go.  I’ll keep you posted. 

                Elder Hoare and I have done lots of stuff this past week.  I’ll try to tell you about it:

                This week in our AP duties we have been preparing for Zone Conference this coming Thursday.  We have been preparing the program, we also have to prepare our lesson.  We were struggling for ideas. 

The theme scripture is Alma 57:21, the theme is focusing on obedience. 

21.   Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. 

We are going to do our lesson on the mission statement: 1) balanced effort 2)Memorize Discussions and Scriptures 3) Return with Honor.  We want to focus the blessings and positive results of doing these things. 

                The next coming month in April, 7 new missionaries are coming: 3 Khmae specking, 2 Vieet speaking, 2 Khmae Natives.  Elders Heywood(Sandy, UT) , Gray( Morgan, UT.)  and McCormick( Washington, State)  are dying. We wrote names with white board markers on the tile walls in our house.  We kneeled and prayed first about who the 5 new trainers should be and then worked out a suggested move plan.  Our part is kind of the physical planning and then we turn it into the President to let him give it spiritual examination.  April = 24 Foreign Elders and 4 Native Elders 22 District Elders and 6 Viet.

                This morning Elder Hoare and I hit the market at 7:00 a.m. with the locals.  Tomatoes, Mangos, Green Peppers, onions, Potatoes,  carrots, eggs.  All by the Kilo.  Also we stocked up on more rice.  We want to make a weekly P-Day run to the market.  We also keep a great supply of bananas

                Sunday night to end the week we had about 20 min before we had to come in and we wanted to use the time productively.  I remembered a house that we had seen earlier in the week thinking, “ I bet a neat family lives there.”  So we followed that idea and went.  We yelled out at the front gate and sure enough here comes a Dad and about 4 kids.  He asks what do you want?  We explained and gave him a Book of Mormon.  I must first back up and said that time seemed to stop for a second as he and his kids stood at the gate looking at us.  My heart was just a beating and I thought WOW what an awesome family.  He said he was confused about the Jesus Christ Religion and wanted to know more.  However he is filming a movie for 15 more days and then will have some free time.  We set a plan with him to come back.  Almost every single person we have been working with this past little while are members of other Christian Churches.  They are stressing searching for truth, Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. 

                Another change is we are losing Elder and Sister Fowler, the office couple in charge of finances etc.  There is no one to replace them for at least 2 months.  That means a companionship of Elders has to spend a half day in the office.  Sister Fowler was also the District Primary and Nursery President.. . . .So I’m thinking . . . .Grandma Talbot grab your companion Dot and come quick!!  We need you!!

                I’m out of time.

                Love ya your Son, Brother, and Missionary.